Mu-uuum, I'm sick!!
For my children to warrant a day off school they have to be deathly pale (almost transparent), have shown some basic signs of illness (actual vomit, diarrhoea, coughing) and risk be infectious (spots, more coughing). So when the youngest moans of tummy ache last night at about 10.30pm on the last day of half term, I ignored his whinging, putting it down to don't-want-to-go-back-to-school-itis - a well known virus round these parts.
Again, this morning, the determined child mentioned an extra trip to the toilet and a slight belly rumble. Pah! I AM MOTHER, HEAR ME ROAR!!! I zipped up his lunch bag, made sure that son #1 had his lunch money, threw my coat on, defrosted the car and made the usual tribal call of GETYOURARSEINTHECARNOW-ITSTIMETOGO.... I stopped at the shop on the way for milk for work and booted him out of the car at the school gates, slowing down to an almost-stop.
12.45pm
*Ring-Ring, Ring-Ring*
It's my husband on the phone:
"Hello love. The school have phoned. Jake has been sick everywhere so I've to go and pick him up. Oh, and by the way, my stomach has been a little off too. See you at half-five..."
Um... ok. Two family members down, two to go. Oh joy!
And you know that I'm going to be greeted with a grumpy "I told you I was ill" when I get home, don't you?
Again, this morning, the determined child mentioned an extra trip to the toilet and a slight belly rumble. Pah! I AM MOTHER, HEAR ME ROAR!!! I zipped up his lunch bag, made sure that son #1 had his lunch money, threw my coat on, defrosted the car and made the usual tribal call of GETYOURARSEINTHECARNOW-ITSTIMETOGO.... I stopped at the shop on the way for milk for work and booted him out of the car at the school gates, slowing down to an almost-stop.
12.45pm
*Ring-Ring, Ring-Ring*
It's my husband on the phone:
"Hello love. The school have phoned. Jake has been sick everywhere so I've to go and pick him up. Oh, and by the way, my stomach has been a little off too. See you at half-five..."
Um... ok. Two family members down, two to go. Oh joy!
And you know that I'm going to be greeted with a grumpy "I told you I was ill" when I get home, don't you?